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March
16, 2012 Volume 12,
Number 11 |
EVERY
DAY IS A HIGHLIGHT AT AIRVENTURE 2012!
 Special
daily highlights at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will please the most ardent
aviator as well as those who are just discovering all the attractions
within the wonderful world of flight. There's so much action, it can't
be contained within the seven days of the convention, July 23-29, as
aircraft from throughout the country and around the world make their
mass arrivals during the preceding weekend. Read
more
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BOEING
787 DREAMLINER WINS 2011 ROBERT J. COLLIER TROPHY
 The
National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced Tuesday at its annual
awards luncheon that Boeing's new 787 jetliner will receive the 2011
Robert J. Collier Trophy, after beating out the C-5M Super Galaxy, the
Gamera Human-Powered Helicopter, and team Pipistrel-USA.com in this
year's judging. The trophy is given annually to what the NAA describes
as "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in
America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and
safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly
demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year." Read
more
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EPA ENDANGERMENT FINDING WOULD
NOT END AVGAS
 The
environmental activist group Friends of the Earth has sued the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) demanding that the
EPA make a finding of endangerment caused by the lead in avgas.
The situation sounds ominous, but really wouldn’t change the
way, or probably even the timetable, of aviation’s move to a
lead-free fuel.
An EPA finding of endangerment is
really the first step in a very long, many year process of
creating new regulations. The words “finding of endangerment”
imply that immediate, or even very quick action is required, but
that’s not the case.
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HIGHTOWER
SPEAKS AT WOMEN IN AVIATION CONFERENCE
 EAA
President/CEO Rod Hightower spoke Saturday at the 23rd annual Women in
Aviation International Conference. The conference theme was
"Reaching Tomorrow Today" and, during the morning's general
session, Rod shared the contributions EAA has made by introducing young
women to aviation through Young Eagles and Women Soar You Soar. Of the
1.6 million Young Eagles flown, 30 percent are female, and 9 percent of
the 18,800 former Young Eagles who are now certificated pilots are
female. (Currently only 6 percent of certificated pilots are women.) Rod
also formally invited Women in Aviation (WAI) members to join EAA and
attend this summer's AirVenture, scheduled for July 23-29, 2012. Read
more
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AD
ISSUED FOR AERONCA (ROGERS) SEDAN WING INSPECTION
 The
FAA recently issued Airworthiness Directive AD 2012-04-10 requiring
owners of the Aeronca 15AC Sedan to have initial inspections of the
exposed trailing edges on both the upper and lower main spar cap angles
on both wings. The inspections are looking for signs of cracks,
intergranular exfoliation, and corrosion. While a wing failure has not
occurred in any of the approximately 255 Sedans on the FAA registration
rolls, corrosion in the structure of a few Sedans was discovered and
prompted to FAA to issue the AD. Read
more
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EPA
LAWSUIT ON AIRCRAFT LEAD EMISSIONS FAILS TO CONSIDER ACTIONS ALREADY
UNDERWAY
Members of the General Aviation (GA) Avgas Coalition say that a lawsuit
filed against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the
environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) over piston-engine
aircraft's use of leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) is not taking into
consideration the considerable work already completed toward the
development and deployment of an unleaded solution. The FOE lawsuit
alleges that the EPA has unreasonably delayed its response to a 2006
petition asking the agency to make an endangerment finding and propose
standards for lead emissions of aircraft. If successful, the lawsuit
will force EPA's process for a potential endangerment finding onto a
court-ordered timeline. Read
more
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EAA
SEEKS CHAPTERS-EAGLE FLIGHTS MANAGER
 EAA
Vice President of Chapters and Youth Education Jeff Skiles is looking to
the EAA membership to find the new manager of EAA Chapters and Eagle
Flights - what he called "one of the most significant new positions
at EAA." As the name implies, the manager of EAA Chapters and Eagle
Flights will be primarily responsible for chapter initiatives and
continuing the work of developing and supporting EAA's Eagle Flight
program. "This is a full-time position working in Oshkosh for the
greatest aviation organization on earth," Skiles said. Learn
more
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SENATE
GA CAUCUS OPPOSES PRESIDENT'S USER FEE PROPOSAL
Twenty-eight members of the Senate General Aviation Caucus today voiced
their strong, bipartisan opposition to the president's $100-per-flight
fee on certain GA operations in controlled airspace in a letter to the
president. That fee was proposed by the White House in its Fiscal 2013
federal budget unveiled last month. "We are concerned that a new
user fee like the one described in the administration's budget proposal
may create a disincentive for pilots and aircraft to use air traffic
control services or fly in controlled airspace," which could create
a less safe aviation environment, the letter states. Read
more
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REPORT
TO HOMEBUILDERS GIVES HIGH-LEVEL VIEW
 The
annual EAA Report to Homebuilders is now available, giving the GA
community a broad overview of the amateur-built aircraft fleet, updates
on safety, and the resources available through EAA to those who are
building their own aircraft. It is the only annual report dedicated to
homebuilt aircraft that looks at that category outside of the entire
general aviation fleet. Read
more
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FAA
SAYS LSA TO GROW 4 PERCENT THROUGH NEXT YEAR
The FAA projects that the number of light-sport aircraft will grow 4
percent through 2013 while the rest of GA aircraft will grow just 0.6
percent, according to the agency's annual aviation forecast released
this past week. After that LSA will increase at a rate of about 2
percent per year through 2032, when the fleet will total 10,195. FAA
also projects the number of active GA pilots (excluding ATPs) to
increase 0.3 percent annually through 2032, or more than 35,000 to a
total of 510,295. The number of student pilots is forecast to decrease
at an average annual rate of 0.1 percent over that same time frame, from
118,657 in 2011 to 116,720 in 2032. More than 13,900 sport pilots are
projected to be certificated during that time. Read
more
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BURT
RUTAN TO RECEIVE NASM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT TROPHY
 Legendary
homebuilder, aircraft designer, and civilian spacecraft creator Burt
Rutan will receive the 2012 Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Lifetime Achievement Trophy on March 21 in Washington, D.C. Rutan, EAA
Lifetime Member 26033, has designed 368 individual concepts and 45
flying aircraft - many of which made their public debuts at Oshkosh.
Those would include such well-known designs as the VariViggen, VariEze,
Long-EZ, Boomerang, Voyager, GlobalFlyer, Grizzly, SpaceShipOne/White
Knight, and SpaceShipTwo/WhiteKnightTwo. Read
more
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AIRVENTURE
VOLUNTEERS WELCOMED IN SEVERAL POPULAR AREAS
 The
success of EAA AirVenture for 60 years is due in no small part because
of the combined efforts of volunteers - more than 4,000 of them every
year! These dedicated aviation enthusiasts handle almost every kind of
job throughout the site before, during, and after "The World's
Greatest Aviation Celebration." If you'd like to join EAA's
volunteer corps, we'd love to have you. Find a task that relates
directly to your skills or your current profession, or try something
you've never done before. All interests, experience, and skills can find
application as an EAA AirVenture volunteer. Read
more
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WE
WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!
Thanks to those of you who answered last week's questions about EAA.org
as we begin the process of overhauling our websites. Here is this week's
question: "What is the main reason you visit EAA.org?" You can
simply answer this question on Facebook.
You also can share your thoughts in the EAA
Forums, where you can also answer additional questions like
"What do you like about EAA.org and why?" and "What would
you change about EAA.org and why?"
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
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ASTM LSA
COMMITTEE TO HOLD ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT WORKSHOP AT SUN 'N FUN
 The
ASTM International Committee for light-sport aircraft will host a
day-long "International Workshop for Electric Aircraft
Standardization" during the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida.
The workshop, slated for March 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn, aims to
bring civil aviation authorities, researchers, and
manufacturers/designers together for discussions on standardizing
technologies of this emerging aircraft category. The workshop is being
held in cooperation with EAA and the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize
(LEAP). Registration is required by March 16 and will be on a
first-come, first-served basis. To register, click here. For more
information about the workshop, click
here.
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CLASSIC
J-3 CUB, EAA 2012 AIRCRAFT SWEEPSTAKES GRAND PRIZE
Giveaway part of Cub's 75th anniversary celebration at AirVenture
 The
Piper J-3 Cub is one of the most recognizable and iconic airplanes ever
to grace the sky. Now, you could be the rightful owner of a beautifully
restored 1940 Piper J-3 Cub as the grand prize winner of EAA's 2012
"Win the Cub" Sweepstakes. The Cub even comes equipped with a
pair of TrickAir Snow Skis and an optional $2,500 worth of free flight
training. In addition to the grand prize, sweepstakes entrants will also
have the chance to win a bunch of other great prizes like a Sea-Doo
Watercraft, a Bose Home Entertainment System, 750 square feet of tile
hangar flooring, and more. Enter now.
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PLEDGE
YOUR SUPPORT: HELP KEEP EAA's B-17 ALUMINUM OVERCAST FLYING
 Since
1994, EAA has toured its B-17 Aluminum Overcast to locations all
over the country offering thousands of people the opportunity to relive
World War II history in one of the few remaining airworthy B-17s in the
world. However, over the past few years, the economics of maintaining a
vintage bomber have become extremely challenging. With no official
funding, EAA must rely on the generous support of individuals to assist
in the continuing restoration, maintenance, and preservation efforts of Aluminum
Overcast. To help EAA keep this important piece of history flying,
please visit EAA's B-17 website or
call 800-236-1025.
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EAA
FORD TRI-MOTOR EMBARKS ON FLORIDA TOUR
 EAA's
1929 Ford Tri-Motor began a spring tour of 12 Florida cities Thursday,
March 15, at Herlong Airport in Jacksonville, Florida. The Tin Goose
will be there through Saturday, March 17, and then will hop over to
Craig Municipal Airport March 18-20 before flying to Plant City's
Municipal Airport for a March 22-25 tour stop. To find out how you can
take a ride in this historic aircraft and to see the full tour schedule,
visit the Fly the Ford website.
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HONOR
AN AVIATION LEGACY WITH A PLAQUE ON EAA'S MEMORIAL WALL
 Located
on the edge of Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, EAA's Memorial
Wall provides a dignified place for families and friends to honor those
special individuals whose support and passion for aviation has made a
positive impact on their lives. If you would like to remember a friend
or loved one with a personalized plaque on EAA's Memorial Wall, please
e-mail development@eaa.org or call 920-426-6563 or 800-236-1025. To have
your special tribute recognized for the dedication ceremony at
AirVenture Oshkosh 2012, please
place your order by Monday, April 9, 2012.
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EAA
MERCHANDISE: GET YOUR B-17 MERCHANDISE BEFORE ALUMINUM OVERCAST GOES ON
TOUR
 Each
year EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast tours the United States offering
people the opportunity to relive the legacy of those who flew aboard the
venerable bomber during World War II. This year the B-17 Aluminum
Overcast tour kicks off April 20, and to celebrate we're offering
savings of up to 30 percent on B-17 merchandise through March 31, 2012. Shop
online or by calling toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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WEBINARS: USING
PC-BASED SIMULATIONS TO COMPLEMENT FLIGHT TRAINING
Although
PC-based flight simulations have been available for 30 years, many
pilots, instructors, and flight schools don't understand how best to use
these tools in real-world flight training and pilot proficiency
programs. This webinar explains how PC-based simulations like X-Plane
and Microsoft Flight Simulator
can complement flight training and help pilots maintain proficiency.
All webinars begin at 7 p.m. CST unless
otherwise noted, and they require registration. To find out more about upcoming EAA Webinars and to
register, visit the webinars
page.
EAA gratefully acknowledges the
support of Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Co.
for their generous sponsorship of our webinar programs.
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MERCHANDISE:
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Monthly Photo Contest
Enter your pictures now for the June Photo Contest!
Can You Help?
Ongoing Discussions
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If you have suggestions or submissions
for EAA’s weekly AeroInnovations column, please send them to
AeroInnovations editor Bob Waldron.
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Does
DeLorean Quadcopter Use Flux Capacitors? |
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An
imaginative Russian fan of the Back to the Future movies recreated the
flying DeLorean with a customized fuselage for a small quadcopter. The
DeLorean looks pretty true to the original, with bright taillights and
headlights and wheels that are rotated 90 degrees out. |
Working
With Mother Nature Saves Fuel |
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Dr.
Jack Langelaan's heuristic flight navigation techniques involve
fine-tuning the flight path to work with the forces of nature (mainly
wind) rather than ignoring or fighting them. Aspects of the terrain,
such as wind patterns created by hills or mountains, and the weather
around and ahead of the plane, such as thermals or local wind
direction, can help an aircraft burn less fuel when used properly.
Heuristic flight control adjusts the aircraft's flight path to get the
most benefit from friendly forces of nature. |
Maiden
Flight of Cessna Citation M2 |
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The
first Cessna Citation M2 prototype went on its maiden flight this past
week. For less than $5 million, the M2 only needs a runway 3,250 feet
long, and has a range of 1,300 nautical miles and 400-knot maximum
cruise speed. This Cessna light business jet accommodates up to six
passengers and two crewmembers. |
Tejas
LCA LSP-7 First Flight |
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The
Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) LSP-7 took its first flight this
month. India's indigenously developed fourth-gen, multi-role combat
aircraft is replacing the Indian Air Force (IAF) aging MiG fighter
jets. The LSP-7 will be used by the IAF for FOC flight evaluations. |
Swiss
Military Buys Centaur OPA |
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The
Centaur Optionally Piloted Aircraft (OPA) launch customer is the Swiss
Department of Defence. The Centaur can be flown in three modes:
normally piloted, remotely piloted as a UAV with no crew onboard, or
in hybrid mode with robotic flight control and a crew onboard.
Comprehensive noise suppression and excellent fuel efficiency
translate into being extremely stealthy above 3,000 feet AGL and
having flight times of up to 24 hours. |
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| AeroInnovations aims to highlight developments that have potential to impact the future of aviation. EAA does not necessarily endorse the ideas, products, services, or views contained therein. |
HINTS
FOR HOMEBUILDERS: GAS WELDING TIP SELECTION
 A
lot of beginning welders ask what size welding tip they need to weld
steel tubing. Dr. Joe Maj, AirVenture volunteer in the gas welding
workshops as well as a SportAir Workshop instructor, answers this
sometimes confusing question. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS
VOICES OF AVIATION: SUZANNA DARCY-HENNEMAN
 Suzanna
Darcy-Hennemann joined Boeing in 1974 as an aeronautical engineer. Seven
years later she became a 757/767 ground school instructor. In 1985, she
became Boeing's first female production test pilot. At the time of this
interview in 2007, Suzanna was the chief project pilot in Boeing's
Engineering Flight Test department working on the 777-200LR Worldliner.
As a participant in EAA's Women Soar program, Suzanna's story has
inspired numerous young women to learn how to fly. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 53
fly-ins and other
aviation events over
the next two weekends
listed in the EAA
Events Calendar. Find one near you or add your event! |
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Clarification:
As a point of
clarification about last week's question, the answer
given is accurate when applied to aircraft with an
experimental amateur-built (E-AB) airworthiness
certificate, but not to one with an experimental
light-sport aircraft (E-LSA) airworthiness
certificate.
Using the letters LSA
in both the definition of light-sport
aircraft and the airworthiness certification
of S-LSA and E-LSA caused some confusion.
To avoid future
confusion, when trying to determine if the aircraft
can be operated by a pilot with a sport pilot
certificate and current driver's license, use the definition
of light-sport aircraft as found in FAR 1.1 and
apply the performance and configuration requirements
(1,320 pounds gross weight, maximum 45 knots stall,
etc.) to the individual airplane in question. If the
individual aircraft that you are looking at has
always met these criteria, it can be flown by a
current pilot with at least a sport pilot
certificate, regardless of whether the aircraft is
certificated S-LSA, E-LSA, standard category
(type-certificated), or E-AB.
Have a question?
To ask a question regarding government issues,
e-mail EAA Government Relations.
For questions about registration, airmen, aircraft
and medical certification, safety records,
performance, or any other matter, e-mail EAA
Member Services.
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EAA
Desktop Calendar
March 2012
Lynn Cromer, EAA
1040774, captured this photo of a Beechcraft SNB-5
with a Nikon D300. He was driving in to the Denton
Airshow in Texas last June to shoot the static
aircraft at sunrise when he noticed the rays of
sunshine poking through the clouds. "I thought
I would get arrested for my driving trying to get to
the flightline," Lynn said.
Download
this wallpaper image from the EAA
website, where you can choose among several
different resolutions to suit your screen -
including three wide-screen
sizes ... or select an image from the archive.
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WOMEN IN AVIATION CONFERENCE BREAKS
ATTENDANCE RECORD
The 23rd annual Women in Aviation International (WAI) Conference, held
in Dallas March 8-10, set a new record attendance with 3,350 attendees,
up almost 8 percent from last year. Guests came from 12 countries
outside the U.S.; the largest number of international attendees were
from Nigeria, Canada, and the UK. A total of $559,680 was awarded in 85
scholarships, and the silent auction raised $18,500 for WAI's endowment
fund. The 24th annual WAI Conference will be held March 14-16, 2013, in
Nashville. For more information, click
here.
FREE SUN 'N FUN APP AVAILABLE FROM
SPORTY'S
Sporty's, in partnership with Sun 'n Fun, has created a free mobile app,
available for both Apple and Android devices, for the 2012 show. The app
includes an interactive exhibitor list with detailed hangar and exhibit
area maps, along with parking information and directions. The "My
Sun 'n Fun" section allows you to compile a list of exhibitors,
seminars, workshops, and other activities you don't want to miss. For
more information, click here.
ASCENSION AIR TO OFFER SR22T AIRCRAFT
Ascension Air is offering three new fully equipped 2012 Cirrus SR22Ts to
individuals and pilots through its fractional ownership program.
Ascension offers a full-service fractional ownership experience for
approximately $10,000 down and a flat fixed cost of approximately $2,000
a month, including hangar, insurance, scheduled and unscheduled
maintenance, and concierge services. For more information, click
here.
BARRY SCHIFF DVD SET NOW AVAILABLE
Proficient Flying: The Very Best of Barry Schiff is now available from
ASA. The DVD series includes more than four hours of instruction, with
Schiff taking viewers into the flight deck and demonstrating concepts.
The full DVD set is available for $39.95, or individual segments (18 in
all) are available for download at $2.99 each and compatible with iPad,
iPhone, and other devices. For more information and for a free demo
clip, click here.
MORGAN FREEMAN HOSTING PARTY FOR ABLE
FLIGHT
On April 21, Morgan Freeman will host a benefit party for Able Flight at
his Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Freeman will be
there to welcome donors and the largest group of Able Flight pilots
together in one place at one time, and music will be provided by the
Paul Thorn Band. Seats are available by calling 919-942-4699 on a
first-come, first-served basis for a $1,000 tax-deductible donation to
the scholarship fund. For more information on Able Flight, click
here.
YOUNG AVIATORS PROGRAM APPLICATIONS
DUE MAY 25
Applications are due May 25 for the Young Aviators Program, which puts
youth ages 14-18 in the pilot seat through daily simulator flying and
actual in-flight lessons with CFIs. The program is scheduled for August
6-10 at EAA Chapter 838's home at the Batten International Airport in
Racine, Wisconsin. The class week includes 40 hours of classroom study
in principles of flight, physics, chemistry, math, and other
aviation-related subjects, along with a daily hangar workshop class that
introduces the use of shop tools to make a real aircraft component. The
goal of the Young Aviator Program is to inspire teens to explore
education and careers related to science, technology, engineering, and
math (STEM). For more information, visit the Young
Aviators website.
FLIGHTSTAR NAMED LEARJET AUTHORIZED
SERVICE FACILITY
The Flightstar Corporation has been named a factory authorized line
maintenance facility (LMF) for the Bombardier Learjet 40 and 45 series
aircraft. The aviation service organization joins a network of more than
50 Bombardier service facilities in 21 countries, consisting of factory
authorized service facilities (ASFs) and LMFs catering to the service
needs of Bombardier business aircraft. Flightstar is located at the
University of Illinois-Willard Airport in Champaign, Illinois. For more
information, click here.
TRACKING SOFTWARE FOR OWNER-FLOWN
PRIVATE AIRCRAFT
Fast-Flight, a new software package designed to provide single-engine
and owner-operated aircraft with the same capabilities available to
larger commercial operators is available from Flight & Aircraft
Services Tracking. The program monitors key pilot and aircraft data,
parts inventories, flight information, and regulatory and service
bulletins. Registration costs $100, and a subscription costs $19.99 per
month. For more information, click
here.
ION FLASHLIGHT FIRESTARTER FROM
AIRCRAFT SPRUCE
Two essential survival items, a flashlight and a firestarter, have been
combined into one lightweight, compact product: the ion Flashlight
Firestarter. The gadget, which costs $129.95, is waterproof and shock
resistant. In addition, both ends of the Flashlight Firestarter can be
used as a magnetic tool to retrieve dropped metal objects. For more
information, click here.
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2012
Experimental Aircraft
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